Why I love the Mamiya 645 Pro

[@Jelly452527]

I've been thinking about buying my friends 645 pro tl for several weeks now, this video inspired me to take the leap!

[@ColtonMatocha]

I love it! It's a great camera and once you get the hang of it you'll get some amazing photos! The Pro TL is nice because of the flash benefits if you ever use flash with it!

[@REMY.C.]

To be honest, if it's in a good condition, do not hesitate a second. I've got it for the past 10+ years and every time I see it I find it very sexy! It's an awesome camera system. It's a 6x45 so it's not square, therefore you can feel the height/width difference, that's why I would suggest you buy the eye viewfinder because it's impossible to take a vertical photo with the waist viewfinder. I got both, I have the electronic viewfinder that includes a meter, rather important if you don't have a light meter (I have a sekonic 758dr). The waist viewfinder + a polished focus glass is awesome. When you look through it, it's truly like you're looking to the world through a magic window. It really is a strange feeling. Everyone I showed the waist view finder to was "WOOOW IT'S AWESOME!". I also suggest you buy 2 backs that you load beforehand so you don't have to do it outside or that you fill with 2 different film stocks when you know you're going to have different light/shooting conditions. Buy it. You won't regret it. I love this camera.

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@REMY.C. Totally agree with everything you wrote! Especially having two backs! That's something I do and it makes it so enjoyable to switch film stocks mid roll! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Which Mamiya lens is your favorite?

[@GlaciaDay]

I believe Bronica ETRS also shoots 15 shots. The most shots you can get is from a modified Pentax 645N, you can do some tweaks to the gears inside the back and you will get 18 645 shots from it.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Oh sick that is a neat hack!

[@steveborghardt]

The Mamiya 645 is my favorite film camera along with my Contax G1 - to me both cameras are the pinnacle of well thought out design back in the 1990's. One other thing - although the Mamiya 645 pro has plastic coatings, the actual camera is still metal underneath the smooth plastic veneer. Folks should keep that in mind when considering the Mamiya 645 Pro. Thanks for another great video.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Yeah I've never had any issues with the quality of construction of the Mamiya so I don't mind the plastic exterior since that likely helps reduce the weight a good bit! Easily still one of my all time favorites! What do you mostly shoot on your Mamiya?

[@steveborghardt]

@@ColtonMatocha Landscapes with some portraits. I would even consider taking it in to NYC for some street/architecture using the waist level viewfinder, I wouldn't be stealthy but I may give it a shot.- I have the 80mm f1.9 and it was well worth the extra money. I also have the 35mm for wide photos, the newer 45mm along with a few zoom lenses - I just ordered the 300mm and I'm looking forward to shooting with that as well. I absolutely love the system.

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@steveborghardt I could see it being a fun camera to do some street shots with. To your point, not stealthy but it could raise a few eyebrows in a positive way! That 45mm is nice! I'm a huge fan of the 110

[@llewdis]

I have this camera and love it as well. I'm glad you enjoy it also.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Oh sick! Yeah it's my favorite! Which viewfinder do you prefer to use on it?

[@llewdis]

I use the ae prism finder

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@llewdis nice! I like the prism as well!

[@mrca2004]

Yes, it has safety's for not removing the back with the dark slide out or not taking photos with the dark slide in. But I have a piece of gaffer tape under the switch that opens the film door because the switch to remove the film back is identical. In the heat of battle, when distracted as I changed film backs, I hit the switch for the film door and opened it with a partially shot roll! That gaffer tape tells me not to do that, it has a check mark indicating no light leans and has a piece of gaffer below it with the film back number of 3 so I can track which film back was used in case of a light leak developing. You are absolutely right about resolution and for the sweet spot, this is it. 15 shots, 3x larger negative than 35 mm, reduced grain so chunky 3200 or crazy sharp tmax 400 both work as well as fp4 and hp5. Way more modern and user friendly than the RB. But your watchers need to be aware of the potential for hitting the rear door switch accidentally when trying to change backs.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Yes that's a good callout. I've done that once or twice and you end up losing multiple shots. Not fun! But the ability to use multiple backs is really great. I like your idea of labeling the backs so that you can more easily identify if one of them develops an issue.

[@mrca2004]

@@ColtonMatocha Back in the day, a studios marked them with a marker, now, gaffer tape can easily be peeled off . I keep a couple squares on the inside lid of my bag and can change the one in the film note holder with film and iso. Great for marking 35 mm rolls pulled out part way to note # of shots taken and iso for reloading when changing rolls mid roll.

[@phildeckdeck1964]

Hi Colton, New to the medium format, I recently purchased a 645 Pro based on your recommendations. You mention a Wireless trigger system for this camera in junction wit he the flip-up mirror. Is it a Mamiya item or a foreign brand? Thanks for the info and keep up the good work! Phil

[@ColtonMatocha]

Hey! How has it been going with the mamiya? So I think I meant to say wired cable release, but misspoke thinking of the wireless flash system I was using. Sorry about that! The wired cable release works great for minimizing movement though!

[@Jakechams]

Great photos!!!

[@ColtonMatocha]

Thank you! 😁

[@mike747436]

Honestly, most 645 cameras shoot 16 images to a roll of 120 film. I have a Bronica RF645, Fuji GA645Zi and I used to own a Contax 645 and they all shoot 16 to a roll. I don't know why the Mamiya only shoots 15. I do have a Mamiya 645 Pro; I bought it to shoot exclusively with the 80/1.9 lens and that combo works very well. Wish it had a second shutter release button on the grip for portrait format shots.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Yeah the RZ67 has the nice feature of being able to rotate the back between landscape and portrait mode without even having to turn the camera or remove the back! That's pretty nifty! 🤩

[@johnjr47]

I love the Mamiya how much do a good use one go for?

[@ColtonMatocha]

It definitely depends on the model. I think I got mine with a lens for 700. I think you can probably find them cheaper than that. A Mamiya 645 Super is probably like 500-600 depending on the setup.

[@johnjr47]

@@ColtonMatocha thank you I thought, since the cost of Film was going up the cost of the Camera may be a little bit more expensive

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@johnjr47 we'll I haven't checked the prices in a while so take my guess with a grain of salt 😄 Ebay should be able to quickly confirm what the higher end of prices for a Mamiya 645 Pro or Super are!

[@johnjr47]

@@ColtonMatocha thank you 😊

[@eddyjcreative100]

How can i get one of these 645 Pro's

[@ColtonMatocha]

There are a lot of options on the various auction sites! You can also occasionally find them on camera reseller sites as well!

[@AnthonyD42]

What metering mode do you guys use most? Is the Auto mode any good?

[@ColtonMatocha]

I find the "Auto A-S" mode works for me in most situations and it is usually left in that mode. When I need specific readings, I will use my hand-held light meter. But for things that don't involve studio flash or adjusting exposure for LE this one works great!

[@cdegenova1761]

Did you have to fix the mirror stop or focus?

[@ColtonMatocha]

I have heard about this problem, but so far mine has worked accurately and without issue. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way! Part of the curse that comes with using decades old equipment. Do you have one that's had that issue?

[@jonathans.9372]

Fortunately the fix is pretty easy, people made the STL file public online, you can download the file and 3d print new parts. Calibrating focus is done with a small screw in that stop during installation.

[@RyanKorea]

A Mamiya 645, Pro or regular, is my dream camera these days. I just adore the way they look!

[@ColtonMatocha]

They are a lot of fun! I'm exclusively shooting on this Mamiya for film these days! Definitely a good investment! What are you currently shooting on!

[@angieshockness1292]

I want to buy the waist level viewfinder… but I don’t know if it has a built in meter like the prism viewfinder. Have you tried it yet?

[@ColtonMatocha]

Hey! Yes I did have a waist-level viewfinder for this for a while and no, unfortunately it doesn't have a built in light meter. You'd need to use a hand-held light meter. Also, (you might already know this) the image moves in reverse when looking through the waist-level viewfinder. I always found that too disorienting for me personally.

[@philipu150]

@@ColtonMatochaThe waist-level finders for the Pro can be hard to find and the cost is quite significant. Whatever you use, it's a fine camera.The grip/auto advance is probably a boon to hand-holding; it's not a light camera and shooting a vertical frame can be a bit awkward hand-held without the grip. But the glass is excellent, though I would not rely on the DOF scales if you're enlarging much; that goes for most lens scales. In my experience, the 55 f/2.8's DOF scale is the furthest off in general.

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@philipu150 Definitely some great glass for this system! My favorite is the 110mm f/2.8. I definitely found the waist level finder to be too distracting for me, so I've just used a prisim viewfinder to much success.

[@philipu150]

@@ColtonMatocha The 110 is my primary portrait lens. I rarely frame for just head and shoulders; if I do, I usually reach for the 150. I find the 110 quite versatile with respect to both perspective and DOF.

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@philipu150 Yes that's exactly the same reasons I love the 110. It's a phenomenal portrait lens and extremely versatile for both studio and field use.

[@rrr324sds]

Love my mamiya c3, it`s excellent for a long journey. Have fun some time with rb67 and its pure high resolution shows in rare shot approx 1 of 50, depending on scene and light conditions. Even with films like delta or tmax.

[@ColtonMatocha]

The C3 is a really cool camera. Never shot it myself, but I've seen some great work from others! I had an RZ67 for a while, but I always kept coming back to the 645. I guess that just ended up being my Mamiya of choice 🤣

[@rrr324sds]

@@ColtonMatocha mamiya is like a hasselblad but for free. With c3 i found some troubles with focus adjustment. That camera can ruin all your portraits until you understand her. Slr is much better in that way.

[@kilian4357]

That's nice, but many points you mentioned are a regular feature on most medium format cameras. The dark slide holder is cool tho..

[@ColtonMatocha]

True, not all of those features are exclusive by any means to the Mamiya 645 Pro. I would say though that a fair amount of medium format cameras are not fully modular. The Mamiya 6 and 7 are extremely popular and also not modular at all. The RZ 67 is modular but lacks the grip options and also doesn't have access to the mirror flip up switch. So for me, it's the combination of all these features in one body that is why I love this camera.

[@FrankMaier-s6e]

Hi Colton, I agree in every respect. The Mamiya 645 actually saved my photography. To cut it as short as possible, by around 2008 I was desperate. I had been shooting film for decades. But then, so many film and camera companies had gone out of business. To be able to keep photographing, I bought a digital body for my Pentax system, and I was immediately shocked. Only half of my lenses worked properly on it. Even the best results I got out of this thing were mediocre. I got even more desperate and started thinking about quitting photography altogether. Then the miracle happened: a friend of my parents, a pro photog who wanted to retire, gave me her 645 Pro along with two lenses! From the start, I got great pictures out of it, and thanks to the that-time low Ebay prices, I was able to assemble a fine set of lenses around the camera (30mm - 500mm including macro and shift). I'll be using the Mamiya 645 till my dieing day.

[@ColtonMatocha]

That's a great story to hear! I really feel like the Mamiya 645 super, pro, and pro tl are extremely capable and highly flexible cameras. They are super economical as far as medium format is concerned, yet provide so many premium elements into the system. I've never been able to shoot a 645 AFD but the thought of having a pro with the option for a digital back would be a dream. Even without the back, the film shots are incredible. I'm really glad you found a camera that you enjoy and keeps you doing photography! Even better that you scored some equipment before prices shot up! Out of curiosity, do you mainly focus on any particular subjects?

[@FrankMaier-s6e]

@@ColtonMatocha Hi Colton, thanks so much for the prompt reply and the kind words. I have no particular subjects I focus on. It can be anything between very beautiful landscapes and very ugly cityscapes. When I find out how to attach pictures on this platform, I would gladly send you some exampes. Cheers, Frank

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

I have a pair of Bronica ETRs and those are almost all metal .. I just took the pair of them out for a shoot about a week ago and just left one on the tripod and walked around with it over my shoulder and I noticed my shoulder hurt the next day and I actually got a bruise on my shoulder lol. I have MANY 35mm cameras and when I changed to Medium format my 35mm cameras kinda turned into my basic point and shoot stuff even if some of them are 70+ years old and require full manual usages lol.. The larger focus screens and over all operation of the larger medium format cameras just seem to work smoother for me. I love mine :).

[@ColtonMatocha]

I love that you have a pair! Makes shooting easier when the controls are the same! I'm always thinking about my neck and how much weight I'm holding up with it. Not sure if it would work with a tripod, but shoulder sling straps are amazing and distribute the weight really well! 35mm just doesn't feel the same once you get those medium format negatives back! 🤣

[@mrca2004]

I shoot 35mm, 645, 66 and 67 but if I had to chose one, it would be 645. 3x the area of 35 mm and able to make stunning 20" prints. Without grip, totally portable, excellent glass. But for the ultimate in tonal transitions and feel of the image... look at the movie Oppenheimer shot on medium format... the 67 feels like I could walk into the image. In the field, I have discovered I can easily wear it and have it available, not in a pain in the ass back pack, by wearing it cross body. I do 3 hour walk abouts with no problem. Now 35 mm, I have a cool 8 mm fish, a 15-35, gorgeous zeiss glass and 300 mm at the long end. It is easily carried all day and I don't mind using burst while in my 645 or 35 mm film, that's the sound of money flying out the door. So for me, it's horses for courses. Same with appropriate film for each format. I don't use 3200 on 35 mm, I don't use t grain on 67.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Hit burst mode on a medium format camera and watch the other photographer's mouths drop and palms get sweaty! 🤣 Those are some solid formats! What do you mostly photograph?

[@mrca2004]

I am a portraitist. I rarely use burst with the cost of film but if there is an important expression I will burst in 35 mm and 645. plus with the 645 I can take quick follow up shots, kinda like my Ruger pistol. I love ilford 3200 in 645, 35 mm grain over powering, 67 not impressive, 65 goldilocks. My profile photo is 3200 in a 645 back on rb67. @@ColtonMatocha

[@ColtonMatocha]

Ah yes, Sometimes you gotta do what it takes to get the shot. I can visualize that situation when taking portraits, especially if the model is doing something with movement!@@mrca2004

[@АльфонсоИспанский]

У меня тоже есть , mamiya 645Е , и любитель 166 - 1980 года , зенит 11 , Агат 18

[@ColtonMatocha]

The Mamiya 645E is a cool camera! What lens do you use for it?

[@АльфонсоИспанский]

@@ColtonMatocha lens mamiya - sekor C 80 mm 2,8 N , . Amateur 166 -1980 , Zenith 11 , Agate 18

[@АльфонсоИспанский]

Fed 50 , Fed 5c - 35 mm , 20 mm lens

[@ColtonMatocha]

@@АльфонсоИспанский that 80mm 2.8 is a beautiful lens! I shoot most frequently with the 110mm 2.8! Mamiya lens are so sharp!

[@АльфонсоИспанский]

@@ColtonMatocha I Want to buy myself Mamiya RB 67 , a backdrop 6x8 , lens soft 150 mm

[@michaelharmon721]

The images you showed were boring as are most images I see shown on KZbin.

[@ColtonMatocha]

Sorry to hear you felt that way. Hope you find some images on YT that you like! Have a nice day Michael!

[@cborel83]

I don’t think the video was highlighting images but more about technical specs. So take it easy

[@rogiervanoostrom6467]

Dear Colton, I think your video was very helpful in understanding what you like about the camera. The photos you show in the video clearly demonstrate the quality of the Mamiya 645 optics in terms of contrast, colour rendition and low amounts of distortion, and I understand that you keep your very best shots for publishing through other channels.

[@charlessummers7381]

Colton, thanks for an informative video. I am considering a Mamiya 645 1000s. The Pro has some favorable option which I can now evaluate.

[@GeorgeStar]

I have the 645 1000S. IQ is great; ergonomics are awful. With the Pro grip looks like handling is much better. I'll have to upgrade at some point.

[@ColtonMatocha]

yeah the grip makes a world of difference in my opinion. You can also get an auto winder grip that will advance the film for you!